|Summary=Funtoo Linux now has new media mix-ins. Learn about them and how to use them.

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== What is a profile? ==

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|News Format=Extended

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|News Category=General

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|Author=Drobbins

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|Publication Status=Draft

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|Publication Date=2015/01/11

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}}

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Hello everyone,

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Funtoo Linux has amazing support for all different kinds of audio, video and graphics formats, as well as media devices that can be enabled via USE flags -- but let's face it -- with all this flexibility has come a certain amount of complexity in enabling all the USE flags you need for a particular application. I've tried to address this by [[Funtoo Profiles|enhancing the profile system]] to include flavors and mix-ins, and creating a {{c|media}} mix-in that enables stuff that a lot of people will want, which is auto-enabled in the {{c|desktop}} and {{c|workstation}} profile. But I always knew that this, while an improvement, was not the final word on media support in Funtoo Linux, and that we needed to do more work here.

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In Gentoo and Funtoo Linux, profiles are used to define base system settings, and have historically had a lot of untapped potential. In Funtoo Linux, I wanted to take advantage of some of this potential to allow Funtoo Linux users to easily tailor their system for various types of roles. Enter the new Funtoo profile system.

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Recently, thanks to assistance from [[User:Mgorny|Michał Górny]], we have been able to implement my design for second-generation media support to Funtoo Linux! Here's how it works. Rather than have a single mix-in called "media", we now have finer-grained categories, and the existing {{c|media}} mix-in has been upgraded to pull in a subset of these categories. Let's look at all the new mix-ins:

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== What It Is ==

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=== Media Device Mix-ins ===

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Historically, users have had to add a ton of settings to <code>/etc/[[make.conf]]</code> to customize their Gentoo or Funtoo Linux system, which made setup of the operating system more difficult than it should be.

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Media device mix-ins have been created to support media devices, including external and portable devices, and associated low-level hardware support and hardware-focused codecs. Media devices have been categorized into audio and video categories, and consumer and professional categories. "Consumer" devices are those devices that regular desktop users might typically use, while "professional" devices are those that professionals, hobbyists or enthusiasts would typically use. Here are the new mix-ins for media devices:

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In Gentoo Linux, it is possible to only define one ''system profile''. Think of a system profile as the default settings that Portage uses for building everything on your system.

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{{TableStart}}

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In Funtoo Linux, multiple profiles can be enabled at the same time. These include:

* '''arch''' - one arch profile is enabled, at build time, and is not changed. This defines CPU architecture-specific settings.

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* '''build''' - one build profile is enabled, at build time, and is generally not changed. It defines the type of build, such as 'current' or 'stable', and associated settings.

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* '''flavor''' - one flavor is enabled per system, and can be changed by the user. This defines the general use of the system, such as 'minimal', 'core', 'workstation' or 'desktop'

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* '''mix-in''' - zero or more mix-ins can be enabled that enable settings specific to a particular subset of features, such as 'gnome', 'kde', 'media', 'mate', 'X', 'hardened'

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Media format mix-ins have been created to support media formats for reading, writing, encoding and decoding images, audio and video. They have been organized into a "common" collection, for popular formats, and an "extra" collection, which is intended to include "everything else". Let's look at the new mix-ins:

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{{note|1=

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See [[Flavors and Mix-ins]] for a complete list of all flavors and mix-ins available in Funtoo Linux, along with descriptions of what each one does.}}

This new system is really a completion of the original cascading profile design that was designed by Daniel Robbins and implemented by Seemant Kulleen as part of Portage. Funtoo Profiles designed to leverage the existing cascading profile system and provide something much more useable and maintainable for users and developers alike. Here are some of its benefits:

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Our existing {{c|media}} mix-in still exists, and is still pulled in by the {{c|desktop}} and {{c|workstation}} flavors automatically. It now includes the following parent mix-ins:

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* Fewer settings in <code>/etc/make.conf</code>. <code>CHOST</code> and <code>ARCH</code> no longer set in <code>/etc/make.conf</code>.

* User flexibility - any number of mix-ins can be enabled to tweak masks or USE settings as needed.

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* {{c|mediadevice-audio-consumer}}

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{{note|See [[Custom Profiles]] for information on how to extend the profile system.}}

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* {{c|mediadevice-video-consumer}}

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* {{c|mediaformat-audio-common}}

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* {{c|mediaformat-gfx-common}}

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* {{c|mediaformat-video-common}}

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In addition, there is a new {{c|media-pro}} mix-in which needs to be enabled manually, which pulls in the following mix-ins:

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== Switch to the Funtoo 1.0 Profile ==

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* {{c|mediadevice-audio-pro}}

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=== Using eselect ===

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* {{c|mediadevice-video-pro}}

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The preferred method of adding and removing profiles is to use [[eselect|eselect profile]]. This will ensure that profiles are added correctly and in the proper order. The order is imperative for things to work right.

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Type the following to view a list of available options for '''eselect profile''':

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<console>

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###i## eselect profile help

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</console>

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For a start, let's see what the default configuration has to offer. Get an overview using the '''list''' command:

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<console>

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###i## eselect profile list

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##b####g##Currently available arch profiles:

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##b##[1] funtoo/1.0/linux-gnu/arch/x86-64bit##!b## *

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##b##[2]##!b## funtoo/1.0/linux-gnu/arch/pure64

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##b####g##Currently available build profiles:

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##b##[3]##!b## funtoo/1.0/linux-gnu/build/stable

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##b##[4] funtoo/1.0/linux-gnu/build/current##!b## *

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##b##[5]##!b## funtoo/1.0/linux-gnu/build/experimental

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##b####g##Currently available flavor profiles:

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##b##[6]##!b## funtoo/1.0/linux-gnu/flavor/minimal

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##b##[7] funtoo/1.0/linux-gnu/flavor/core##!b## *

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##b##[8]##!b## funtoo/1.0/linux-gnu/flavor/desktop

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##b##[9]##!b## funtoo/1.0/linux-gnu/flavor/workstation

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##b##[10]##!b## funtoo/1.0/linux-gnu/flavor/hardened

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##b####g##Currently available mix-ins profiles:

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##b##[11]##!b## funtoo/1.0/linux-gnu/mix-ins/audio

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##b##[12]##!b## funtoo/1.0/linux-gnu/mix-ins/cinnamon

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##b##[13]##!b## funtoo/1.0/linux-gnu/mix-ins/console-extras

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##b##[14]##!b## funtoo/1.0/linux-gnu/mix-ins/dvd

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##b##[15]##!b## funtoo/1.0/linux-gnu/mix-ins/gnome

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##b##[16]##!b## funtoo/1.0/linux-gnu/mix-ins/kde

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##b##[17]##!b## funtoo/1.0/linux-gnu/mix-ins/mate

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##b##[18]##!b## funtoo/1.0/linux-gnu/mix-ins/media

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##b##[19]##!b## funtoo/1.0/linux-gnu/mix-ins/print

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##b##[20]##!b## funtoo/1.0/linux-gnu/mix-ins/python3-only

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##b##[21]##!b## funtoo/1.0/linux-gnu/mix-ins/rhel5-compat

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##b##[22]##!b## funtoo/1.0/linux-gnu/mix-ins/server-db

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##b##[23]##!b## funtoo/1.0/linux-gnu/mix-ins/server-mail

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##b##[24]##!b## funtoo/1.0/linux-gnu/mix-ins/server-web

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##b##[25]##!b## funtoo/1.0/linux-gnu/mix-ins/X

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##b##[26]##!b## funtoo/1.0/linux-gnu/mix-ins/xfce

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##b##[27]##!b## funtoo/1.0/linux-gnu/mix-ins/vmware-guest

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##b##[28]##!b## funtoo/1.0/linux-gnu/mix-ins/hardened

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</console>

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As in several other Funtoo utilities, a star ('''*''') on the right indicates an active item (your case may differ from the example above).

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In most cases you will want to set your "flavor" first. Remember that you can only set ''one'' flavor at time.

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To choose your favorite flavor use the '''set-flavor''' command including your selection. In this example, we will set the '''desktop''' flavor:

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{{note|You ''must'' use numbers to reference to the profiles you want.}}

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<console>###i## eselect profile set-flavor 8</console>

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View the result:

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<console>###i## eselect profile list

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##b####g##Currently available arch profiles:

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##b##[1] funtoo/1.0/linux-gnu/arch/x86-64bit##!b## *

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##b##[2]##!b## funtoo/1.0/linux-gnu/arch/pure64

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##b####g##Currently available build profiles:

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##b##[3]##!b## funtoo/1.0/linux-gnu/build/stable

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##b##[4] funtoo/1.0/linux-gnu/build/current##!b## *

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##b##[5]##!b## funtoo/1.0/linux-gnu/build/experimental

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##b####g##Currently available flavor profiles:

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##b##[6]##!b## funtoo/1.0/linux-gnu/flavor/minimal

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##b##[7]##!b## funtoo/1.0/linux-gnu/flavor/core

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##b##[8] funtoo/1.0/linux-gnu/flavor/desktop##!b## *

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##b##[9]##!b## funtoo/1.0/linux-gnu/flavor/workstation

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##b##[10]##!b## funtoo/1.0/linux-gnu/flavor/hardened

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##b####g##Currently available mix-ins profiles:

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##b##[11] funtoo/1.0/linux-gnu/mix-ins/audio (auto)

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##b##[12]##!b## funtoo/1.0/linux-gnu/mix-ins/cinnamon

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##b##[13] funtoo/1.0/linux-gnu/mix-ins/console-extras (auto)

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##b##[14] funtoo/1.0/linux-gnu/mix-ins/dvd (auto)

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##b##[15]##!b## funtoo/1.0/linux-gnu/mix-ins/gnome

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##b##[16]##!b## funtoo/1.0/linux-gnu/mix-ins/kde

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##b##[17]##!b## funtoo/1.0/linux-gnu/mix-ins/mate

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##b##[18] funtoo/1.0/linux-gnu/mix-ins/media (auto)

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##b##[19] funtoo/1.0/linux-gnu/mix-ins/print (auto)

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##b##[20]##!b## funtoo/1.0/linux-gnu/mix-ins/python3-only

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##b##[21]##!b## funtoo/1.0/linux-gnu/mix-ins/rhel5-compat

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##b##[22]##!b## funtoo/1.0/linux-gnu/mix-ins/server-db

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##b##[23]##!b## funtoo/1.0/linux-gnu/mix-ins/server-mail

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##b##[24]##!b## funtoo/1.0/linux-gnu/mix-ins/server-web

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##b##[25] funtoo/1.0/linux-gnu/mix-ins/X (auto)

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##b##[26]##!b## funtoo/1.0/linux-gnu/mix-ins/xfce

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##b##[27]##!b## funtoo/1.0/linux-gnu/mix-ins/vmware-guest

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##b##[28]##!b## funtoo/1.0/linux-gnu/mix-ins/hardened

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</console>

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As you see by the '''(auto)''' entries, the '''desktop''' flavor already pre-set some mix-ins for you.

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Now, let's head over and add some mix-ins. To add, say, the mix-ins '''gnome''' and '''kde''' we'd have to enter:

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<console>

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###i## eselect profile add 15

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###i## eselect profile add 16

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</console>

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Or, in a one-shot:

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<console>

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###i## eselect profile add 15 16

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</console>

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If we want to remove a mix-in, for example '''gnome''', simply enter:

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<console>

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###i## eselect profile remove 15

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</console>

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Verification:

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<console>###i## eselect profile list

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##b####g##Currently available arch profiles:

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##b##[1] funtoo/1.0/linux-gnu/arch/x86-64bit##!b## *

+

##b##[2]##!b## funtoo/1.0/linux-gnu/arch/pure64

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##b####g##Currently available build profiles:

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##b##[3]##!b## funtoo/1.0/linux-gnu/build/stable

+

##b##[4] funtoo/1.0/linux-gnu/build/current##!b## *

+

##b##[5]##!b## funtoo/1.0/linux-gnu/build/experimental

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##b####g##Currently available flavor profiles:

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##b##[6]##!b## funtoo/1.0/linux-gnu/flavor/minimal

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##b##[7]##!b## funtoo/1.0/linux-gnu/flavor/core

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##b##[8] funtoo/1.0/linux-gnu/flavor/desktop##!b## *

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##b##[9]##!b## funtoo/1.0/linux-gnu/flavor/workstation

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##b##[10]##!b## funtoo/1.0/linux-gnu/flavor/hardened

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##b####g##Currently available mix-ins profiles:

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##b##[11] funtoo/1.0/linux-gnu/mix-ins/audio (auto)

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##b##[12]##!b## funtoo/1.0/linux-gnu/mix-ins/cinnamon

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##b##[13] funtoo/1.0/linux-gnu/mix-ins/console-extras (auto)

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##b##[14] funtoo/1.0/linux-gnu/mix-ins/dvd (auto)

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##b##[15]##!b## funtoo/1.0/linux-gnu/mix-ins/gnome

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##b##[16] funtoo/1.0/linux-gnu/mix-ins/kde *

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##b##[17]##!b## funtoo/1.0/linux-gnu/mix-ins/mate

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##b##[18] funtoo/1.0/linux-gnu/mix-ins/media (auto)

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##b##[19] funtoo/1.0/linux-gnu/mix-ins/print (auto)

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##b##[20]##!b## funtoo/1.0/linux-gnu/mix-ins/python3-only

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##b##[21]##!b## funtoo/1.0/linux-gnu/mix-ins/rhel5-compat

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##b##[22]##!b## funtoo/1.0/linux-gnu/mix-ins/server-db

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##b##[23]##!b## funtoo/1.0/linux-gnu/mix-ins/server-mail

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##b##[24]##!b## funtoo/1.0/linux-gnu/mix-ins/server-web

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##b##[25] funtoo/1.0/linux-gnu/mix-ins/X (auto)

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##b##[26]##!b## funtoo/1.0/linux-gnu/mix-ins/xfce

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##b##[27]##!b## funtoo/1.0/linux-gnu/mix-ins/vmware-guest

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##b##[28]##!b## funtoo/1.0/linux-gnu/mix-ins/hardened

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</console>

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No magic here, whatever you add gets put into the <code>/etc/portage/make.profile/parent</code> file by portage.

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In our case, this file contains:

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<console>

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###i## cat /etc/portage/make.profile/parent

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gentoo:funtoo/1.0/linux-gnu/arch/x86-64bit

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gentoo:funtoo/1.0/linux-gnu/build/current

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gentoo:funtoo/1.0/linux-gnu/flavor/desktop

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gentoo:funtoo/1.0/linux-gnu/mix-ins/kde

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</console>

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{{fancywarning|Please, do not add anything manually into <code>parent</code> file. This may result in profile breakage.}}

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== For Developers ==

+

+

=== Define the profile sub-sets you will use ===

+

+

So far in Funtoo we have used the exact same profiles as Gentoo thus Funtoo/2008.0 was strictly the same thing as Gentoo/2008.0 or the barely the same 10.0. This (monolithic) profile was set though a symbolic link named <code>/etc/make.profile</code> pointing on a complex directory architecture located somewhere under <code>/usr/portage/profiles</code>. This is no longer valid with the Funtoo 1.0 profiles as they are split in several smaller bricks which are then glued together via the <code>/etc/portage/make.profile/parent</code> file (You do not need to include everything, just use the "bricks" you need). Those bricks belongs to several categories:

+

+

# MANDATORY -- An "arch" profile which defines settings for a particular architecture. You'll want to set this to whatever arch your system is and leave it alone. '''Setting it to a different arch than your system could severely break it.'''

+

# MANDATORY -- A "build" profile which should match the tree you wish to use. '''Stable''', '''Current''' (~arch), or '''Experimental''' (use it if you are brave enough and find '''current''' too stable).

+

# MANDATORY -- A "flavor" profile (what was previously known as ''profiles'' is still known as such in Gentoo) which describes the kind of system you want:

+

#* minimal - Be warned, minimal is exactly what it says, the minimal profile stuff you need for a usable system, nothing else. This is really for people who know what they're doing.

+

#* core - This is the core profile. This is for stuff that affects both desktops and servers.

+

#* desktop - Exactly what it says. If you're using a desktop, you should set this as your flavor.

+

#* server - If you're running a server, you should set this as your flavor.

+

# OPTIONAL -- One or more "mix-ins" profiles which describe optional add-ons. 'mix-ins' are the heart of the Funtoo 1.0 profiles. Unlike the monolithic profiles which sets a massive amount of use flags and options for you, we've split them into logical add-on profiles. For instance if you want support for gnome, you would add the gnome mix-in to your current profiles. That mix-in sets all the proper use flags and such for gnome. Same with others. Want dvd support? Add that one in. Using a rhel5 kernel which requires special versions of packages such as udev? There's a mix-in for that too. Run a mail server? web server? There's mix-ins for those also. Expect this category to grow in the future as new mix-ins are created.

+

+

The contents of <code>/etc/portage/make.profile/parent</code> for a basic setup might look like this:

+

+

{{file|name=/etc/portage/make.profile/parent|body=

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gentoo:funtoo/1.0/linux-gnu/arch/x86-64bit

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gentoo:funtoo/1.0/linux-gnu/build/current

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gentoo:funtoo/1.0/linux-gnu/flavor/core

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}}

+

+

A more rounded setup for a desktop might look like this:

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+

{{file|name=/etc/portage/make.profile/parent|body=

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gentoo:funtoo/1.0/linux-gnu/arch/x86-64bit

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gentoo:funtoo/1.0/linux-gnu/build/current

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gentoo:funtoo/1.0/linux-gnu/flavor/desktop

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gentoo:funtoo/1.0/linux-gnu/mix-ins/dvd

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gentoo:funtoo/1.0/linux-gnu/mix-ins/media

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}}

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So typically, you would enable the {{c|desktop}} or {{c|workstation}} flavor, and if you need professional hardware support, you'd also enable the {{c|media-pro}} mix-in. If you needed any additional media formats support, you could enable one or more of the {{c|mediaformat-*-extra}} mix-ins to add the formats you needed. Of course, it's possible to enable only the specific mix-ins you need, and also complement these mix-ins with specific USE variable settings you might require.

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== Related ==

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* [[Flavors and Mix-ins]]

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Going forward, these mix-ins can be maintained to include new USE flags that are created, providing an easy way for people to enable the features they need. I hope you like the new system!

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[[Category:Funtoo features]]

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{{NewsFooter}}

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[[Category:Portage]]

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[[Category:Labs]]

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[[Category:HOWTO]]

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[[Category:Official Documentation]]

Latest revision as of 07:13, January 11, 2015

What is a profile?

In Gentoo and Funtoo Linux, profiles are used to define base system settings, and have historically had a lot of untapped potential. In Funtoo Linux, I wanted to take advantage of some of this potential to allow Funtoo Linux users to easily tailor their system for various types of roles. Enter the new Funtoo profile system.

What It Is

Historically, users have had to add a ton of settings to /etc/make.conf to customize their Gentoo or Funtoo Linux system, which made setup of the operating system more difficult than it should be.

In Gentoo Linux, it is possible to only define one system profile. Think of a system profile as the default settings that Portage uses for building everything on your system.

In Funtoo Linux, multiple profiles can be enabled at the same time. These include:

arch - one arch profile is enabled, at build time, and is not changed. This defines CPU architecture-specific settings.

build - one build profile is enabled, at build time, and is generally not changed. It defines the type of build, such as 'current' or 'stable', and associated settings.

flavor - one flavor is enabled per system, and can be changed by the user. This defines the general use of the system, such as 'minimal', 'core', 'workstation' or 'desktop'

mix-in - zero or more mix-ins can be enabled that enable settings specific to a particular subset of features, such as 'gnome', 'kde', 'media', 'mate', 'X', 'hardened'

Note

See Flavors and Mix-ins for a complete list of all flavors and mix-ins available in Funtoo Linux, along with descriptions of what each one does.

Origins and Benefits

This new system is really a completion of the original cascading profile design that was designed by Daniel Robbins and implemented by Seemant Kulleen as part of Portage. Funtoo Profiles designed to leverage the existing cascading profile system and provide something much more useable and maintainable for users and developers alike. Here are some of its benefits:

Fewer settings in /etc/make.conf. CHOST and ARCH no longer set in /etc/make.conf.

Switch to the Funtoo 1.0 Profile

Using eselect

The preferred method of adding and removing profiles is to use eselect profile. This will ensure that profiles are added correctly and in the proper order. The order is imperative for things to work right.

Type the following to view a list of available options for eselect profile:

# eselect profile help

For a start, let's see what the default configuration has to offer. Get an overview using the list command:

As in several other Funtoo utilities, a star (*) on the right indicates an active item (your case may differ from the example above).
In most cases you will want to set your "flavor" first. Remember that you can only set one flavor at time.

To choose your favorite flavor use the set-flavor command including your selection. In this example, we will set the desktop flavor:

Please, do not add anything manually into parent file. This may result in profile breakage.

For Developers

Define the profile sub-sets you will use

So far in Funtoo we have used the exact same profiles as Gentoo thus Funtoo/2008.0 was strictly the same thing as Gentoo/2008.0 or the barely the same 10.0. This (monolithic) profile was set though a symbolic link named /etc/make.profile pointing on a complex directory architecture located somewhere under /usr/portage/profiles. This is no longer valid with the Funtoo 1.0 profiles as they are split in several smaller bricks which are then glued together via the /etc/portage/make.profile/parent file (You do not need to include everything, just use the "bricks" you need). Those bricks belongs to several categories:

MANDATORY -- An "arch" profile which defines settings for a particular architecture. You'll want to set this to whatever arch your system is and leave it alone. Setting it to a different arch than your system could severely break it.

MANDATORY -- A "build" profile which should match the tree you wish to use. Stable, Current (~arch), or Experimental (use it if you are brave enough and find current too stable).

MANDATORY -- A "flavor" profile (what was previously known as profiles is still known as such in Gentoo) which describes the kind of system you want:

minimal - Be warned, minimal is exactly what it says, the minimal profile stuff you need for a usable system, nothing else. This is really for people who know what they're doing.

core - This is the core profile. This is for stuff that affects both desktops and servers.

desktop - Exactly what it says. If you're using a desktop, you should set this as your flavor.

server - If you're running a server, you should set this as your flavor.

OPTIONAL -- One or more "mix-ins" profiles which describe optional add-ons. 'mix-ins' are the heart of the Funtoo 1.0 profiles. Unlike the monolithic profiles which sets a massive amount of use flags and options for you, we've split them into logical add-on profiles. For instance if you want support for gnome, you would add the gnome mix-in to your current profiles. That mix-in sets all the proper use flags and such for gnome. Same with others. Want dvd support? Add that one in. Using a rhel5 kernel which requires special versions of packages such as udev? There's a mix-in for that too. Run a mail server? web server? There's mix-ins for those also. Expect this category to grow in the future as new mix-ins are created.

The contents of /etc/portage/make.profile/parent for a basic setup might look like this: